:00:22. > :00:29.More than 450 talented young performers entered. After two
:00:30. > :00:35.strongly contested audition rounds, 25 work selected for the finals. We
:00:36. > :00:44.have heard some high-quality playing from some exceptional young people.
:00:45. > :00:49.And now, just three remain. This is a huge competition. These are young
:00:50. > :00:54.musicians who have dedicated their lives to being the best they
:00:55. > :01:02.possibly can be. Young Musician is the most important competition in
:01:03. > :01:08.the UK. This is really something. If you can cope with this, you can cope
:01:09. > :01:16.with anything. It gives you a wonderful opportunity to start a
:01:17. > :01:19.brilliant career. Over the years, some great musicians have come
:01:20. > :01:25.through this competition. The killer Benedict. It was the biggest musical
:01:26. > :01:33.experience of my life. I'm grateful to this competition for making my
:01:34. > :01:41.dream alia -- a reality. I hope it is an amazing start to a long
:01:42. > :01:43.career. In just over two hours, one of our finalists will be named BBC
:01:44. > :02:28.Young Musician 2014. know I am Not Alone in feeling
:02:29. > :02:34.excited about the next couple of hours. Today has all the hallmarks
:02:35. > :02:39.of being a very special final in deed. All of our finalists have
:02:40. > :02:42.demonstrated their outstanding technical ability and musicianship
:02:43. > :02:46.in the previous rounds, so we have a lot to look forward to. 20 years on
:02:47. > :02:50.from the introduction of the category, we have a percussionist in
:02:51. > :02:53.the final and 42nd competition running, a recorder player has
:02:54. > :02:58.proven that it is an instrument to be taken seriously. Including the
:02:59. > :03:02.line-up, a pianist who has come back to triumph after disappointment last
:03:03. > :03:05.time. They will be performing works by David Heath, Gordon Jacob and
:03:06. > :03:39.Sergei Rachmaninov. That meet our finalists.
:03:40. > :04:14.have won before are, winning it would be incredible.
:04:15. > :04:21.Of course, this final would not be complete without them. Hello to both
:04:22. > :04:29.of you. Allison, you reached the final in 1998 and this is a huge
:04:30. > :04:32.occasion. Yes, and in some ways it feels like just yesterday that I
:04:33. > :04:37.competed. The atmosphere is electric. There is pressure on these
:04:38. > :04:42.performers because it is so high profile. At the same time, it is a
:04:43. > :04:46.celebration of their talent. Laura van der Hedjen, you were my guess
:04:47. > :04:49.that the final two years ago. What do you think it is about this
:04:50. > :04:52.competition that is so special? I watched this competition and have
:04:53. > :04:58.done so ever since moved here 13 years ago. I have followed careers
:04:59. > :05:01.of so many people with such exceptional abilities, who are now
:05:02. > :05:05.also my friends and colleagues. What is special about the competition is
:05:06. > :05:11.that we are all witnessing such young, incredible talented kids, who
:05:12. > :05:17.will rule the world stage as of concerts everywhere. And that is the
:05:18. > :05:23.most exciting thing for me. For now, thank you both. I'm pleased to say
:05:24. > :05:26.that Milos will be keeping an eye on things backstage and Alison will
:05:27. > :05:29.join me here to talk through the performances by our three finalists.
:05:30. > :05:36.Before that, I'm joined by some very special guests indeed. Not just one
:05:37. > :05:38.but two former BBC young musicians. For I introduced them, here is a
:05:39. > :05:40.look back at their triumphant performances. -- before I introduced
:05:41. > :06:40.them. Laura van der Hedjen, who took the
:06:41. > :06:42.title of Young Musician in 2012, and Nicola Benedetti, the winner of the
:06:43. > :06:48.competition the last time it was held at the Usher Hall, ten years
:06:49. > :06:50.ago. It won welcome to you both. Nicola is back as our very first
:06:51. > :06:57.ambassador. What does Young Musician mean to you? It means so much, so
:06:58. > :07:01.many different things. The experience of actually playing. I
:07:02. > :07:04.have a lot of very strong memories of that day and of the whole
:07:05. > :07:10.competition, the build-up to the final. If you goose bumps today. I'm
:07:11. > :07:14.trying not to rub off on any of the finalist! I am probably more nervous
:07:15. > :07:19.than them. It is bringing back so many memories but it is outside my
:07:20. > :07:24.control. It is in their hands. Laura, two years ago it was you
:07:25. > :07:29.waiting backstage to walk onto the stage. How does it feel to be back
:07:30. > :07:33.here? It is amazing to be back. I'm maybe as nervous as I was two years
:07:34. > :07:40.ago, maybe even more! It is amazing to be back in the hall, and it is
:07:41. > :07:44.such an amazing experience. I am really looking forward to seeing how
:07:45. > :07:51.they develop through tonight and through the rest of their careers.
:07:52. > :07:57.As our ambassador, any final words of advice? They do not need any more
:07:58. > :08:03.advice. They are so prepared, and they have done everything. They know
:08:04. > :08:08.how to prepare. For them, it is just going to be about being themselves
:08:09. > :08:11.and presenting what is unique about their talents. Thank you both very
:08:12. > :08:16.much indeed. We are looking forward to talking more to you along the
:08:17. > :08:20.way. Whoever wins the final today will be joining an impressive list
:08:21. > :08:26.of previous winners including not only Nicola and Laura but the likes
:08:27. > :08:30.of Emma Johnson, Adrian spill it and Freddie camps, the pianist. Today's
:08:31. > :08:33.finalist will be hoping to follow in their footsteps but to do that, they
:08:34. > :08:48.will have to convince five very important people. Our expert judges.
:08:49. > :08:52.Recording artist. I would look for the potential where you see the
:08:53. > :08:56.person's intent in 20 year, if you know a message comes through and
:08:57. > :09:03.reaches the audience, that is most important thing. Colin Curry, the
:09:04. > :09:07.first win over the percussion title. Now a leading soloist We are looking
:09:08. > :09:10.for someone who comes on stage and is in control but in a very
:09:11. > :09:16.commanding sense, but also in a sense where everyone feels good
:09:17. > :09:23.about what is going on. Award winning recorder player
:09:24. > :09:30.Michaela Petrie. Would like to see someone who is at one with the music
:09:31. > :09:35.and with the instrument, that treason sends the instrument and
:09:36. > :09:40.thinks only of the music. One of the most success self-composers today,
:09:41. > :09:45.James MacMillan Beyond the music, something of the young musician's
:09:46. > :09:55.soul has on the communicated to a listener, a great musician has it or
:09:56. > :09:59.doesn't have it. And Alice Farnham. Lead othera programme to encourage
:10:00. > :10:03.women into conducting It is that extra thing that is very emotional
:10:04. > :10:11.and I think for the judges and the audience as well.
:10:12. > :10:14.Just a brief insight into the thought of the jury in the final.
:10:15. > :10:21.They are taking their seats in the hall. I am pleased to say Nicola and
:10:22. > :10:25.I have been joined by Alison. It is lovely to have us with us. How do
:10:26. > :10:28.you think they will cope with the pressure of this final? I think
:10:29. > :10:34.something that was clear was in the earlier round they were able to
:10:35. > :10:38.demonstrate they couldn't show their personalities when they are making
:10:39. > :10:42.music, they are teenagers but they would have this original voice and
:10:43. > :10:46.they can be enchanting as well as of course all this incredible skill.
:10:47. > :10:51.Nicky you have been working with the contestants and we have such a
:10:52. > :10:56.diverse range as Ali says of performers and repertoire today. I
:10:57. > :11:01.would echo what Alison is saying, it is to me the most impressive thing
:11:02. > :11:04.about all three, is their ability to feel comfortable in their own skin
:11:05. > :11:10.and recognise that people are looking to receive a message from
:11:11. > :11:15.them, their individual voices and what they can express through the
:11:16. > :11:20.music they are chosen, it has been a privilege to be round them and to be
:11:21. > :11:24.party to the entire process, such a key moment in their lives and
:11:25. > :11:28.musical lives. We are ready to hear the first of our finalist, he made a
:11:29. > :11:32.huge impression with his performances in the category finals
:11:33. > :11:47.and the semifinal, it is 15-year-old percussionist Elliot Gaston-Ross.
:11:48. > :11:53.I am astounded to be in the final, I really didn't expect it. I have
:11:54. > :12:01.played for a lot of orchestras over the past few year, and I have never
:12:02. > :12:06.done much in the way of big solo recitals, and to jump into a
:12:07. > :12:10.competition like this and now be in the final, and playing a concerto is
:12:11. > :12:17.massive leap for me. Two weeks before the final, Elliot is off to
:12:18. > :12:21.Manchester's Royal College of Music to rehearse his concerto with an
:12:22. > :12:27.orchestra for the first time I have been practising for a long time with
:12:28. > :12:31.the CD, but to now go and play with an orchestra, it will be very
:12:32. > :12:35.different. This particular concerto required Elliot to get hold of
:12:36. > :12:42.unusual bits of kit. For the industrial percussion set up, me and
:12:43. > :12:48.my mum and dad went to the DIY shop and collected some bins and a
:12:49. > :12:52.wheelbarrow. It was embarrassing standing in B having to hit the
:12:53. > :12:55.dustbins with the members of staff looking at us like we were barking
:12:56. > :13:03.Mladenovic mad and trying to explain it was a percussion instrument.
:13:04. > :13:05.The piece I have chosen to play in the final, is African
:13:06. > :13:10.Sunrise/Manhattan Rave by David Heath, which is a percussion
:13:11. > :13:17.concerto in two parts. The first part is on the marimba, then on a
:13:18. > :13:27.drum kit, then industrial percussion, then I move ore to the
:13:28. > :13:31.vibrafphone. It is one of my favourite concertos. The challenges
:13:32. > :13:35.are that he has got to improvise a large part of the score when he is
:13:36. > :13:39.playing the industrial percussion. Anything that is printed, you know
:13:40. > :13:43.what you have to do, every note is specified, but when it says
:13:44. > :13:48.improvise for a couple of minute, it is a blank canvas, that is scary for
:13:49. > :13:52.a musicians, especially for a young musician who is not used to that It
:13:53. > :13:57.was a lot of stopping to chat about how we are going to make it work and
:13:58. > :14:02.stuff like that, and there was a bit of pressure there.
:14:03. > :14:08.I have no idea what tempo you are at I have had a lot of lumps and
:14:09. > :14:11.blisters on my hand from practising, so physically it has been difficult,
:14:12. > :14:16.but my mum has been helping me on that, that has helped.
:14:17. > :14:20.He has been practising in excess of 30 hours a week, last week think it
:14:21. > :14:27.was 35 hour, that is how dedicated he is.
:14:28. > :14:36.Three days before this final, Elliot meets Kirill Karabits for the first
:14:37. > :14:43.time. Good. So we go boom-boom before boom, crescendo. I like
:14:44. > :14:48.Kirill, he is a top class conductor, one thing I noticed about him he is
:14:49. > :15:00.very chilled and laid back. I am lucky to have him conducting. Next
:15:01. > :15:08.it is time to meet the orchestra, and Nicola Benedetti is on hand
:15:09. > :15:12.where expert advice. The kind of people that are in this orchestra,
:15:13. > :15:16.they are the most supportive, lovely people and Kirill e, he wants it to
:15:17. > :15:21.be as good as possible. Never feel like row can't speak up and. I know
:15:22. > :15:25.how scary that can be when there is 40 people, 60 people there. If you
:15:26. > :15:32.do have any concern, definitely try to say them early. Then they won't
:15:33. > :15:38.be playing on your mind. So you look and we start. There is always a
:15:39. > :15:43.moment you have to ask them to do some showing this tempo, or looking
:15:44. > :15:49.at the conductor, because these are things they don't know. I have asked
:15:50. > :15:56.him a couple of times could you look or could you make it clear, and he
:15:57. > :16:02.always was very flexible, and reacted immediately. Do you think
:16:03. > :16:06.your performance will be difficult when you have within working with
:16:07. > :16:13.them? I think it will change my performance, but for better, it is
:16:14. > :16:19.amazing to speak to Nicola, and, she is a big inspiration to me, and a
:16:20. > :16:24.lot of other musicians, obviously having won the competition in this
:16:25. > :16:29.very hall. I have to ask what would it mean to you to win young
:16:30. > :16:32.musician? I have had so much support through the competition from my
:16:33. > :16:43.family, it would be the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me.
:16:44. > :16:48.Just 15 year old, but so very focussed. As we saw, such dedication
:16:49. > :16:53.there, there hasn't been a percussion winner of BBC young
:16:54. > :17:01.musician in Elliot Gaston-Ross's lifetime. Maybe this will the one.
:17:02. > :17:04.Here he is. He will be performing African Sunrise/Manhattan Rave by
:17:05. > :17:09.David Heath who is in the audience. He said he was honoured Elliot had
:17:10. > :17:10.chosen this work. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by
:17:11. > :43:16.Kirill Karabits. just 15 years old. And as you can
:43:17. > :43:19.hear and see, the audience at the Usher Hall is just going wild for
:43:20. > :43:26.that performance. That is one of the instructions from the composer, who
:43:27. > :43:31.is here in the audience. He says in the score to go wild. And yesterday,
:43:32. > :43:34.Elliott was telling me how he loves that. He feels that he has an
:43:35. > :43:38.advantage over the other contestants tonight for that reason. He can just
:43:39. > :43:44.completely lose it in that percussion section. Such an
:43:45. > :43:51.astonishing contrast to the lyricism that we saw in the opening June, the
:43:52. > :44:02.marimba section. He is a stage animal. He absolutely loves it.
:44:03. > :44:07.Well, what a way to begin this final of BBC Young Musician 2014.
:44:08. > :44:10.Elliott Gaston-Ross ? the first of our three finalists.
:44:11. > :44:13.It?s 20 years since the Percussion Category was first
:44:14. > :44:14.introduced and in that time it?s only produced one winner ?
:44:15. > :44:28.Adrian Spillet back in 1998. Elliot Gaston-Ross making a very
:44:29. > :44:35.convincing case to be the next percussion winner. Alison, you were
:44:36. > :44:42.in that final with Adrian Spillet in 1998. Do you think Elliott has what
:44:43. > :44:49.it takes? I do. He is a riveting performer. Everyone here, I would
:44:50. > :44:51.say, was transfixed. We both had our hearts and our mouths at one point.
:44:52. > :44:54.There was a gorgeous moment where he hearts and our mouths at one point.
:44:55. > :45:04.There was smiles and our heart melted. Absolutely. I think he has
:45:05. > :45:08.got a very strong chance. He is such a accomplished performer. It is hard
:45:09. > :45:12.to believe he is 15. Nicola, what a glorious challenge to the idea that
:45:13. > :45:16.the classical concert is a stuffy experience. There he is, playing his
:45:17. > :45:22.heart out on the wheelbarrow, in the trash her cousin section. How
:45:23. > :45:25.important is it that we see different music-making in this
:45:26. > :45:30.competition? -- percussion section. I think it is incredible. For him,
:45:31. > :45:37.he is someone that would turn whatever was in front of them into a
:45:38. > :45:42.masterpiece. He is meant to be on stage. Some people, you meet them
:45:43. > :45:46.backstage and you are speaking to them, and you almost cannot imagine
:45:47. > :45:53.what they will be like when they get on stage. And he just owns it. He is
:45:54. > :45:57.meant to be there. One of the questions that gets asked for the
:45:58. > :46:02.final is how do you compare instruments, how do you compare a
:46:03. > :46:09.percussion section with a very quiet recorder player? You have to look
:46:10. > :46:13.beyond the instruments. It is not about the instruments. You have to
:46:14. > :46:18.be looking at the musician, and what they have to say. And he provided a
:46:19. > :46:25.complete thrill. Of course, he was energetic, charismatic. But he was
:46:26. > :46:35.also able to find space for the more intimate moments. He balanced it
:46:36. > :46:41.perfectly. Thank you both. He couldn't believe it when he won
:46:42. > :46:46.the Category Final, let us hear how he is feeling I don't know how you
:46:47. > :46:50.girls are feeling, but backstage, I have to say we are feeling
:46:51. > :46:56.emotional, we are feeling the rhythm in our blood, in our hip,
:46:57. > :47:01.everywhere, Elliot played a piece which displayed so much her sism and
:47:02. > :47:07.energy, and I don't know what to say. A piece which not so many
:47:08. > :47:14.people have heard, and Elliot absolutely smashed it. Elliot. Are
:47:15. > :47:18.you happy? Yes, I am really happy. Best experience I have had in my
:47:19. > :47:25.life, and I really enjoyed it, and just gave it all I have, and that is
:47:26. > :47:30.all I can do really, and I just really, really did enjoy it.
:47:31. > :47:36.He certainly did smash it and the standard is set. Next to play in in
:47:37. > :47:39.this final is 15-year-old recorder player Sophie Westbrooke. This is
:47:40. > :47:43.the second competition in a row in which ard roar player has made it to
:47:44. > :47:48.the final, and Sophie is bit of an am a ambassador for the instrument.
:47:49. > :47:52.He says her success so far will make it cool to play it again. You were
:47:53. > :47:56.in the semifinal for her performance, she captivated you. She
:47:57. > :48:01.did. I think at the time I described it she was casting a spell over the
:48:02. > :48:05.audience, her programme was very clever, it was very much designed to
:48:06. > :48:09.tell a story and all the pieces were joined together, they were all in
:48:10. > :48:13.the same key, it did convince me, I wasn't expecting what I heard from
:48:14. > :48:18.her, and she is just beguile, and again, it is looking past the fact
:48:19. > :48:20.we have these stereotypes about the recorder, and listening to her
:48:21. > :48:24.express herself, I am excited to hear this.
:48:25. > :48:30.Nicola, how have you found working with her? I think she has a sort of
:48:31. > :48:36.quality that draws you in. Obviously, the projection of the
:48:37. > :48:41.recorder is, has its own space, and she understands that, she
:48:42. > :48:45.understands that in order to express herself she needs to beckon everyone
:48:46. > :48:51.into her sound and her expression, she is also a very naturally still
:48:52. > :48:55.person, she is very calm, she is very sweet, and that is, it is like
:48:56. > :49:00.she is not planning to show off to anyone, she is just bringing you
:49:01. > :49:04.into her space, and and telling you, telling you it is like she is
:49:05. > :49:09.telling you a secret. It is so refreshing, in a noisy busy world,
:49:10. > :49:15.it is refreshing to have that sense of calm and to experience that with
:49:16. > :49:19.her. Very calm, I saw her earlier and she looked so zen, I thought I
:49:20. > :49:23.don't know how do you that! We caught up with her to find out how
:49:24. > :49:37.preparations were going for the final.
:49:38. > :49:42.The competition has been a good thing for me, I have learned the
:49:43. > :49:45.importance of being creative and enjoying myself and performing, to
:49:46. > :49:49.an audience instead of playing the right notes.
:49:50. > :49:55.I think it has been a real learning curve for me, it is still going, I
:49:56. > :49:59.am still learning more. When Sophie got through to the
:50:00. > :50:02.final, I was shocked. Really pleaded for her, excited because the
:50:03. > :50:06.opportunity to play with such a wonderful orchestra is something you
:50:07. > :50:13.rarely get 59 this age. -- at this age.
:50:14. > :50:17.To prepare for this final she has been rehearsing with the orchestra
:50:18. > :50:22.at the junior Royal Academy of Music.
:50:23. > :50:25.The concerto performance is a different thing to presenting a
:50:26. > :50:29.short programme in a recital situation, it is obviously a more
:50:30. > :50:33.complex issue for the recorder. It has been exciting because it has
:50:34. > :50:37.made us look outside the box a little #3wi9. Sophie will be playing
:50:38. > :50:41.a concerto by Gordon Jacob and we have commissioned a new arrangement
:50:42. > :50:46.of it. There is always an issue but
:50:47. > :50:49.recorder because it is a small light instrument.
:50:50. > :50:53.I have been careful to add instruments which perhaps had lots
:50:54. > :50:59.of colour but not too much volume. We wanted colour, and lightness in
:51:00. > :51:03.the orchestration. Support comes from fellow player
:51:04. > :51:09.Charlotte who made it through to the BBC young musician final back in
:51:10. > :51:14.2012. Charlotte has given me advice, she is a very kind of calming
:51:15. > :51:20.person, if ever I am stressed or worried about anything.
:51:21. > :51:25.When I heard she got through I wasn't surprised. She has the
:51:26. > :51:30.strongest musical intelligence and amazing technique.
:51:31. > :51:33.I am so excited about playing with the professional orchestra, it is an
:51:34. > :51:37.amazing opportunity, and hopefully, it will be a bit of a new expense
:51:38. > :51:41.for some of them as well, playing with a recorder.
:51:42. > :51:46.But before meeting the orchestra there is a chance for Sophie and
:51:47. > :51:53.Kirill Karabits to work through the piece.
:51:54. > :51:59.I find all #r0rder players I have seen and worked with, they are very
:52:00. > :52:03.delicate people. -- reporter. Everything we are doing
:52:04. > :52:11.is chamber music, it is not overwhelming, it is little thing,
:52:12. > :52:17.which we improved in the last days. I can give you this entrance. That
:52:18. > :52:20.is normally fine. Sophie the countdown is well and truly under
:52:21. > :52:24.way, how does it feel to be here? It is crazy, it is surreal. It doesn't
:52:25. > :52:29.really feel like it is really happening. It is good. It is good to
:52:30. > :52:33.finally be here, before I was coming, it was nerve-wracking, but
:52:34. > :52:38.now I am here and rehearsals are going on, I feel calmer and much
:52:39. > :52:42.more ready. Sophie will be accompanied by
:52:43. > :52:46.members of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
:52:47. > :52:50.It is my flesh to welcome Sophie Westbrooke. It was daunting and
:52:51. > :52:55.nerve-wracking to stand up in front of so many professional musicians
:52:56. > :52:59.who have been doing this for year, but it was nice and it was relaxing
:53:00. > :53:07.to go through it, and I feel much more prepared now.
:53:08. > :53:11.Someone who knows how daunting the experience can be, is Nicola
:53:12. > :53:15.Benedetti. Sometimes I find it difficult to speak up, in front of
:53:16. > :53:18.an entire orchestra, you feel like you don't want to hear the sound of
:53:19. > :53:23.your own voice in front of those people. I know that feeling, after
:53:24. > :53:27.years of doing it, I can promise you you are there, all with the best of
:53:28. > :53:36.intentions, and they want to be able to enjoy the music with you.
:53:37. > :53:39.I hope people watch this and think the recorder is a proper instrument
:53:40. > :53:45.and people can do amazing things on it. I certainly found that when I
:53:46. > :53:48.watched Charlotte. How would it #2350e8 to you to win and be the
:53:49. > :53:53.first recorder player to take the title? I tried not to think about
:53:54. > :53:57.it, because this has never been a competition for me, it has just been
:53:58. > :54:00.a really good opportunity to perform, and play pieces that I
:54:01. > :54:06.love. Winning it would just be incredible,
:54:07. > :54:09.the winners who have played before are musicians I admire hugely, and
:54:10. > :54:20.to kind of join them would be amazing.
:54:21. > :54:26.15-year-old Sophie Westbrooke looking completely calm as she waits
:54:27. > :54:32.backstage, unfeesibly relaxed you might say. She doesn't seem to be
:54:33. > :54:37.get tressed -- stressed or worried. There she is tuning her recorder.
:54:38. > :54:42.Her musical intelligence is anything but delicate. It is ferociously
:54:43. > :54:45.refined and sophisticated, having watched her in rehearsals the last
:54:46. > :54:49.few days. She is going to be played the Suite
:54:50. > :54:53.For Recorder and Strings by Gordon Jacob in a new version commissioned
:54:54. > :54:57.especially for her, for chamber orchestra, by David Knotts. The BBC
:54:58. > :17:49.Scottish Symphony Orchestra once again conducted by Kirill Karabits.
:17:50. > :17:56.how much she enjoyed that final bit when he showed off that recorder.
:17:57. > :18:01.She is a beguiling player. Remarkable search possession for
:18:02. > :18:09.someone so young. She goes to the same school as Emma Johnson who took
:18:10. > :18:13.the title in 84. Emma sent her an e-mail before the competition to
:18:14. > :18:18.wish her good luck. She will be proud of Sophie, I am sure.
:18:19. > :18:24.That was good. Sophie Westbrooke making such a
:18:25. > :18:27.convincing case to perhaps become the first recorder player to win BBC
:18:28. > :18:31.Young Musician. Alison, she is a very special play e there is no
:18:32. > :18:36.doubt about it. Extraordinary grace and poise for someone so young
:18:37. > :18:40.Absolutely, and what I find fascinating is people play their
:18:41. > :18:45.personality, etch time I have heard her, I feel like I have got to know
:18:46. > :18:49.her more and I love her. Such grace and poise but so expressive and
:18:50. > :18:55.romantic, I thought it was very beautiful. I was impressed by the
:18:56. > :19:00.fact the fact a recorder is a quiet instrument she wasn't afraid in the
:19:01. > :19:05.quiet bits. She didn't shy away from it. She owned that. Nicky, she
:19:06. > :19:10.doesn't have the same repertoire choices as a vile Lynnist. Did she
:19:11. > :19:17.make the right call? I think she did. The piece is diverdicts it
:19:18. > :19:20.shows huge amount of character contrast, it is tough to be able to
:19:21. > :19:24.pick something that is really going to allow you to shine, I think a lot
:19:25. > :19:27.of people were concerned about the orchestration, the reorchestration
:19:28. > :19:31.of this piece, including any instruments that may interfere with
:19:32. > :19:34.her projection in the hall, but we heard her the whole time. I thought
:19:35. > :19:40.the colours were wonderful, between her and the orchestra, I thought it
:19:41. > :19:46.was very effective. They were. Let us hear how Sophie thought that
:19:47. > :19:51.went. She is backstage with Milos. Thank you Clemmie, I am indeed, and
:19:52. > :19:55.whenever Sophie plays she manages to transport me to some far away
:19:56. > :20:00.beautiful land, now the Princess of recorder herself is next to me. It
:20:01. > :20:05.was a lovely performance but how was it for you? It was amazing, I wasn't
:20:06. > :20:09.nervous, as soon as I walked out and it was so much fun, it was, there
:20:10. > :20:14.were so many people there and I felt they were all kind of be mind me and
:20:15. > :20:19.supporting me, and, yeah, it was so much fun, I love the piece, I love
:20:20. > :20:25.playing it, and, I had a really good time. Nobody was breathing, you... I
:20:26. > :20:30.was trying to breathe. You were incredible. And congratulations, you
:20:31. > :20:37.an inspirational young lady. -- you're an inspirational young lady.
:20:38. > :20:40.We have heard two of the finalist, Sophie Westbrooke and Elliot
:20:41. > :20:45.Gaston-Ross. Completing the line up pianist Martin James Bartlett. He
:20:46. > :20:49.reached the Category Finals two years ago aged 15. He said that
:20:50. > :20:52.spurred him on to study even harder. Alison, you were taken by his
:20:53. > :20:57.performance in the semifinals weren't you? I was, in the Category
:20:58. > :21:02.Finals as well. Obviously, no pressure, he is about to go on stage
:21:03. > :21:07.now, I have to say within the first few seconds of hearing him I was
:21:08. > :21:12.open mouthed. My breath was taken away by him he is a very rare gifted
:21:13. > :21:16.musician. I remember that feeling, those goosebumps from two years ago.
:21:17. > :21:22.You have been working with him, what are your impressions Nicky? He lives
:21:23. > :21:29.and breathes musicians, I mean, he has such delight -- music. His body
:21:30. > :21:35.and imagination is just shifting with every note and character he is
:21:36. > :21:39.trying to feel, he is rare. Very very rare. Well, let us find out how
:21:40. > :21:57.Martin has been getting on since winning his place in the final.
:21:58. > :22:02.Being involved in BBC Young Musician has been a lot of fun and I have
:22:03. > :22:08.enjoyed performing and I love the pressure, because I think it makes
:22:09. > :22:14.you grow as a musician and a person. It means so much to me, to play in
:22:15. > :22:17.the final, because in a way I prefer playing concertos to solo
:22:18. > :22:21.repertoire, so for me this is what I love doing.
:22:22. > :22:25.Martin attend the Purcell School of Music, where his teacher Emily
:22:26. > :22:31.Geoffrey is on hand to help him refine his performance I have been
:22:32. > :22:35.practising much more for the final. I am playing Rachmaninov, Rhapsody
:22:36. > :22:42.on a Theme of Paganini, and I think this piece sums up my personality
:22:43. > :22:45.very well. There were beautiful passionate moments but it is
:22:46. > :22:52.mischievous. It's a piece that suits him so well. Fits him like a glove.
:22:53. > :22:58.It just is able to show so much of what Martin has to offer.
:22:59. > :23:04.Since he began learning it has not looked back. Loves it and I think it
:23:05. > :23:08.loves him. It is one of the most challenging
:23:09. > :23:12.pieces in the piano helptory, with orchestra, I mean, also it is a very
:23:13. > :23:20.famous work, so to put your own mark on a piece like that, is a huge
:23:21. > :23:26.challenge. Having Emily to help me with the
:23:27. > :23:32.piece is great. She makes me think of it more or the -- orchestrally so
:23:33. > :23:38.we have a lot of fun working on. That was nearly good. Don't make me
:23:39. > :23:43.laugh! I chose to get some nice tailored
:23:44. > :23:48.tails, which, I think, it is kind of an old school way of playing and
:23:49. > :23:51.lots of people wear suits. I think it's a tradition that should be
:23:52. > :23:57.brought back in. I have never been to Usher Hall and I have looked on
:23:58. > :24:02.the internet. It looks amazing. My mum and dad should be here and we
:24:03. > :24:08.are going to go there. They are plying up. I am driving one the
:24:09. > :24:11.tails and suitcase, so nothing gets cruised.
:24:12. > :24:16.-- flying up. He is very excited. Words cannot say how excited he is.
:24:17. > :24:19.Yes, he is really really looking forward to it.
:24:20. > :24:26.Gosh, I am starving, can we get a burger on the way? Now in Scotland
:24:27. > :24:34.Martin has his first rehearsal with Kirill Karabits, under the
:24:35. > :24:39.experienced eye of Nicola Benedetti. The only advice I could give you if
:24:40. > :24:46.I may be so bold. Please do. Would be to focus all your energy as much
:24:47. > :24:50.as possible, on the relationship between you, piano, piece of music,
:24:51. > :24:55.and musicians. Like that should be your protection. That is what I am
:24:56. > :24:59.trying to do and have a good relationship between the
:25:00. > :25:07.orchestra... Focus absolutely on that. When you take the tempo it
:25:08. > :25:12.doesn't change. I shouldn't change. It was almost an immediate
:25:13. > :25:17.understanding, it was an intuition, so we played the piece twice, in the
:25:18. > :25:21.first rehearsal from the beginning to the end, and I could hardly say
:25:22. > :25:28.anything, it was just little things that improved mostly by themselves.
:25:29. > :25:31.You have been working with Kirill and the orchestra, do you think your
:25:32. > :25:35.piece has developed in that time? I think it has. There are some things
:25:36. > :25:38.I think maybe work very well when I play it through, with the orchestra
:25:39. > :25:45.you have to make different allowances and there are some things
:25:46. > :25:50.where I think I am playing big, but with an orchestra behind you I have
:25:51. > :25:52.to. You made a huge impact on the competition two years ago, do you
:25:53. > :25:56.think you have developed in that intervening time? I think, so I
:25:57. > :26:01.think I have worked as hard as I would in a decade, probably, in the
:26:02. > :26:04.two years, so I think that lots of things, maybe my mind and my musical
:26:05. > :26:08.mind has developed much more than it was two years ago. How does the
:26:09. > :26:13.experience compare? Does it feel different being back here this time
:26:14. > :26:19.round? It feels different, because this time, I think I am more
:26:20. > :26:23.focussed. I am just enjoying it more. I am going to guess there is
:26:24. > :26:28.nowhere else you would like to be than on stage, you feeling that this
:26:29. > :26:34.year? Even more than two years ago, it is where I feel most comfortable.
:26:35. > :26:42.When I am on stage I feel comfortable and I enjoy myself.
:26:43. > :26:47.So two years on from Martin's first appearance in this competition, #4iz
:26:48. > :26:52.wait to get up there on stage for a final is nearly over. -- his. I was
:26:53. > :26:57.gobsmacked by his playing two years ago, I can't wait to hear what he
:26:58. > :27:02.does today, he is going to perform Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by
:27:03. > :27:02.Rachmaninov, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted once
:27:03. > :53:34.again by Kirill Karabits. A rap so Dick reaction for --
:53:35. > :53:37.rhapsodick reception for his magnificent performance of Rhapsody
:53:38. > :53:42.on a Theme of Paganini. Bringing this final to a great close. The
:53:43. > :53:47.last of our three performers competing in this BBC young musician
:53:48. > :53:53.final and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra once again conducted by
:53:54. > :54:00.Kirill Karabits and led by Laura Samuel. This is the piece Freddy
:54:01. > :54:11.Kempf won with in 1992. Can it do it again? At this 2014 final.
:54:12. > :54:20.Well, we always knew this was going to be a very special final, it is
:54:21. > :54:25.blown my mind. 17-year-old Martin James Bartlett bringing this final
:54:26. > :54:30.to a close. Nicola, before we began, before he began you said he was
:54:31. > :54:36.rare. That performance astonishing, he has it all, not only the talent,
:54:37. > :54:40.the technical ability, the charisma on stage but the soul. I looked at
:54:41. > :54:47.both of you and you were open mouthed and weepy eyed. I would say
:54:48. > :54:52.he is one of those that manages to bring in every component you need at
:54:53. > :54:55.every one time. He which is very difficult.
:54:56. > :54:58.APPLAUSE A rousing cheer for the BBC Scottish
:54:59. > :55:03.sieve Snip orchestra, they are doing sterling work. You loved him in the
:55:04. > :55:08.Category Final, did he deliver for you? Completely. I was thrilled with
:55:09. > :55:12.that, I have to say I was weeping, not in the bit everyone weep, long
:55:13. > :55:17.before that. I feel he is the kind of musician that reminds me why I
:55:18. > :55:20.have dedicated my life to being a classical musician, that is what it
:55:21. > :55:26.is about. It is life affirming. It is. When you hear music played like
:55:27. > :55:30.that, that is how to spread the message about classical music with
:55:31. > :55:35.playing like that, he is 17, he is just a normal boy, apart from this
:55:36. > :55:40.ridiculous talent he has got. You talked about the bit that everyone
:55:41. > :55:44.cries at. It is a very famous piece. Freddy Kempf won with it in 1992. Do
:55:45. > :55:48.you think it was the right piece for him? There is no question about
:55:49. > :55:53.that. He loves this piece like it were his baby. He takes care of it,
:55:54. > :55:56.you can tell he is moved by so many places in the piece, that is what is
:55:57. > :56:03.extraordinary about him,he is so moved as he is playing, but he
:56:04. > :56:07.manages to stay disstand enough to be in control. -- distant enough.
:56:08. > :56:14.The combination of the two extremes is very difficult. He had a lot to
:56:15. > :56:19.contend with as well. There are ensemble difficulties throughout
:56:20. > :56:23.that, Ritz Mick -- rhythmically it is challenging and balance wise with
:56:24. > :56:28.the orchestra, you see a piano that size you think it must carry but
:56:29. > :56:33.there were a lot of challenges he has to face and he kept his cool.
:56:34. > :56:38.Said what he had to say and, and delivered, yeah. Well, we know that
:56:39. > :56:42.he loves being on stage. Let us hear from Martin himself and how he
:56:43. > :56:49.thought that went. He is backstage with Milos. Hello from backstage,
:56:50. > :56:53.what an explosive finish. Our final competitor, Martin, we felt your
:56:54. > :56:58.inner and outer smile. Are you happy? I am very happy. I just had a
:56:59. > :57:02.lot of fun, it was very exciting and I love the piece so much so it is
:57:03. > :57:06.great to perform it. When you are on stage it feels like you are at home,
:57:07. > :57:11.when you are with an orchestra it feels like second nature. I suppose
:57:12. > :57:14.I feel comfortable, and I really enjoy being on stage, yes. Is this
:57:15. > :57:20.something you want do for the rest of your life? Yes, You certainly
:57:21. > :57:24.will. Over to you girls. Thank you very much indeed. Well, it is a very
:57:25. > :57:28.very tough task that the jury have ahead of them, isn't it. You
:57:29. > :57:34.wouldn't want to be in their shoes. I am glad I am not. It is just
:57:35. > :57:39.impossible to compare the three, I think you just have to probably in
:57:40. > :57:44.the end go on what were you most moved by, there are so many things
:57:45. > :57:48.that have to come together to make a great performance, between the
:57:49. > :57:51.choice of the repertoire, their stage presence, their sound through
:57:52. > :57:58.their instrument, and their soul, what do they have to say to you? All
:57:59. > :58:06.of the judge also have had distinct different feelings. And I am glad I
:58:07. > :58:11.am not them. You said this was a privilege to hear, it was a
:58:12. > :58:16.remarkable opportunity to hear music by people so young. It is a
:58:17. > :58:24.privilege to hear music like this live, it really is. And, it is like
:58:25. > :58:28.a kind of alchemy. There are many components have to come together.
:58:29. > :58:33.You never know it untonne -- until it is happening whether the magic is
:58:34. > :58:37.going to be created. I think for all three they did that this evening, so
:58:38. > :58:40.yes, again, I am glad I am not doing it. Thank you both very much for
:58:41. > :58:45.now. If you are already wondering how you are going to fill your
:58:46. > :58:48.Friday nights once BBC Young Musician 2014 has reached its
:58:49. > :58:53.thrilling conclusion I have good news. This year the competition has
:58:54. > :58:56.introduced a brand-new award for jazz performers, the final was hell
:58:57. > :58:59.in Cardiff and you can see highlights next week on BBC Four at
:59:00. > :59:08.7. 30. Here is is a quick taste of what we have to look forward to.
:59:09. > :59:14.We have excellent young jazz musicians. It is wonderful they have
:59:15. > :59:18.a platform to be seen in a come peps they has established itself as one
:59:19. > :59:23.of the great competitions for jazz musicians anywhere.
:59:24. > :59:27.-- competition. Having a competition like this is
:59:28. > :59:33.going to add to the evolution of the music.
:59:34. > :59:39.I am excited to hear new young talent. I am looking forward most to
:59:40. > :59:43.hearing great music. It is so mind-boggling courageous for a kid
:59:44. > :59:47.to be able do that. I place with but it is impossible to say who would
:59:48. > :59:51.win it, they each have so much to offer. Whatever happens next, who
:59:52. > :00:02.knows but to win it would be amazing.
:00:03. > :00:09.Now, as promised while we wait for the juries nail-biting decision we
:00:10. > :00:13.have a very special treat. No-one who watched the 2012 BBC Young
:00:14. > :00:16.Musician final will be able to forget that performance of Walton's
:00:17. > :00:18.Cello Concerto by Laura van der Hedjen, I am delighted to say she is
:00:19. > :00:39.back to perform for us today. Young Musician 2012. -- here she
:00:40. > :20:00.is. To form Tchaikovsky's rococo Variations.
:20:01. > :20:01.MacMillan. In James MacMillan. APPLAUSE
:20:02. > :20:05.The rococo variations by Tchaikovsky. Laura is a special
:20:06. > :20:09.talent. All of us who were involved in the competition are hugely
:20:10. > :20:15.looking forward to seeing her career develop over the coming year, she
:20:16. > :20:18.has a fantastic rapport with the conductor Kirill Karabits, he was
:20:19. > :20:25.there at the scene of her triumph. He is back tonight conducting the
:20:26. > :20:32.Scottish Symphony Orchestra with their leader Laura Samuel.
:20:33. > :20:38.Well, I understand we have a result which is why I have come to the side
:20:39. > :20:41.of the stage, but before we hear who is the new BBC Young Musician I am
:20:42. > :20:46.going to hand you back over to Alison, she has taken my place in
:20:47. > :20:51.the hall, she is with Nicola and Milos. Thank you. What a concert. I
:20:52. > :20:55.feel like I lived every second with the finalists, what a perfect
:20:56. > :20:59.advertisement for classical music. Your final thoughts Nicky? No
:21:00. > :21:03.pressure. I guess my final thoughts are that no matter what happens it
:21:04. > :21:10.really is something to bel Britted, the three people that age, from this
:21:11. > :21:14.country, playing to that standard, and demonstrating seriousness, I
:21:15. > :21:18.think it is something we, us three can celebrate from this point on
:21:19. > :21:23.wards, we don't have to make the decision. Milos you were with them
:21:24. > :21:26.straight after their performance, it must have been emotional. And
:21:27. > :21:31.through the competition and emotional it was. You see them
:21:32. > :21:35.blossom from one stage to the next. You see them become these amazing
:21:36. > :21:39.performers. I forgot we were in a competition. I have no idea how they
:21:40. > :21:43.will make the decision. They celebrate all that is great about
:21:44. > :21:47.this country and real inspiration and talent and pride of Britain.
:21:48. > :21:50.Thank you both. I hear we have a result, so I am going to hand over
:21:51. > :22:09.the Clemmie for the presentation. /to Clemmie.
:22:10. > :22:14.Ladies and gentlemen. What an extraordinary concert we have
:22:15. > :22:19.enjoyed today. I am sure you will a degree it is an exhilarating and
:22:20. > :22:23.inspiring finale to what has been a wonderful competition this year we
:22:24. > :22:27.have heard three outstanding young musicians, and on any given day any
:22:28. > :22:33.one of them might have been a worthy winner.
:22:34. > :22:37.But, in just a few moments, one will be named BBC Young Musician 2014.
:22:38. > :22:41.First though, we have another award to announce. The Walter Todd bursary
:22:42. > :22:47.is named after one of the co-founders of the competition and
:22:48. > :22:51.it is awarded to a performer or performers who didn't make it to the
:22:52. > :22:56.final. I am please to announce there are two recipient, they are the wood
:22:57. > :23:00.wind Category Final and the keyboard Category Final list.
:23:01. > :23:03.Before we ask them on stage to collect their awards, here is a
:23:04. > :24:20.quick reminder of their performances in the finals.
:24:21. > :24:23.APPLAUSE So many congratulations to those
:24:24. > :24:27.two. Now, the moment we have all been
:24:28. > :24:34.waiting for, thank you to our conductor Kirill Karabits, our
:24:35. > :24:38.expert adjudicators Alice Sarah Ott, Edwina Currie, Michala Petri and
:24:39. > :24:43.Alice Farnham. We are joined by Laura van der Hedjen who won the
:24:44. > :24:47.title back in 2012. To announce the winner of BBC Young
:24:48. > :25:00.Musician 2014, on behalf of the jury, here is James MacMillan.
:25:01. > :25:05.APPLAUSE Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
:25:06. > :25:08.On behalf of my fellow adjudicators I would British Library to
:25:09. > :25:12.congratulate all three finalists and thank them all for the wonderful
:25:13. > :25:20.music making we have enjoyed tonight, all three of course are
:25:21. > :25:24.winners. -- thanks to to conductor Kirill Karabits and the BBC Scottish
:25:25. > :25:28.Symphony Orchestra who have been working with these fabulous
:25:29. > :25:32.musicians for the last few day, it was a difficult decision to make but
:25:33. > :25:38.we have made it. And so it gives me congratulate pleasurure to announce
:25:39. > :26:25.that the winner of the BBC Young Musician 2014 is... Martin James
:26:26. > :26:26.Bartlett. APPLAUSE
:26:27. > :26:28.Young Musician 2014 is... Martin James Bartlett.
:26:29. > :26:51.APPLAUSE APPLAUSE
:26:52. > :26:57.Martin, throughout this competition you have continually blown us away
:26:58. > :27:00.with the individuality of your voice, you have so much to say on
:27:01. > :27:03.that piano, and this evening you didn't just say it you sang it out
:27:04. > :27:06.to us, thank you and many congratulations, how are you feel
:27:07. > :27:11.something I can't believe it. It is such an amazing feeling, I have
:27:12. > :27:15.dreamed of being in this competition and I can't believe I have won it.
:27:16. > :27:25.It is amazing. Well, I think you deserve your burger now is all I can
:27:26. > :27:25.say! APPLAUSE
:27:26. > :27:49.Many congratulations to Martin. Now I am sure you will all want to
:27:50. > :27:53.join me in giving an enormous round of applause to our sensational
:27:54. > :27:59.finalist, Sophie Westbrooke and Elliot Gaston-Ross.
:28:00. > :28:38.CHEERING AND APPLAUSE #3
:28:39. > :28:44.Well, the search for the new BBC Young Musician 2014 begins early
:28:45. > :28:49.next year and you will see the final stages in spring 2016. Until then,
:28:50. > :28:54.from all of us, here at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, good night and we
:28:55. > :28:56.leave you with Martin James Bartlett, BBC Young Musician 2014.